True patriotism is not about displaying a narrow and selfish kind of patriotism but about shouldering the burdens to keep America going. It involves not cutting programs for the poor to benefit the affluent few. Ethical patriotism goes beyond 'America first' and true patriots are open to humanity, disturb the comfortable, comfort the disturbed, and uphold justice over false national pride.
Patriotism is defined as “the love, devotion and sense of attachment to a homeland and alliance with other citizens who feel the same.” It’s a term that goes all the way back to the Greek word “patrios,” meaning, “of one’s father.” In and of itself, attachment to one’s ancestors seems unproblematic. Ethical questions arise for me when patriotism evolves into its modern form – militarized and nationalistic. In the late 18th century, patriotism became more exclusionary, tribal, and chauvinistic.